On Saturday, August 31, 2024, a tragic aircraft accident occurred near Troutdale Airport (TTD/KTTD) in Fairview, Oregon, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The incident involved a twin-engine Cessna 421C Golden Eagle, registered as N421GP, which crashed shortly after takeoff. The crash site was approximately 1.3 miles from the airport, and the aircraft impacted several residential houses, causing a massive post-crash fire.
Flight Details and Initial Incident
The aircraft, registered to Circle Capital Industries, had been cleared for takeoff from runway 25 at Troutdale Airport. The pilot, who was reportedly conducting a test flight, had requested to perform a pattern flight around the airport. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot climbed to 1,700 feet, exceeding the VFR altitude restrictions and entering the controlled airspace of Portland International Airport. The tower controller, noticing the aircraft’s altitude, requested the pilot’s intentions. It was at this point that the pilot reported experiencing handling problems with the aircraft.
The air traffic controller cleared the Cessna 421C to land on any runway; however, the aircraft continued to experience difficulties.
Despite the pilot’s efforts, the aircraft was unable to make a safe return to the airport. During the final moments before the crash, the aircraft’s airspeed remained high, indicating that it was not likely a stall or spin event, but the aircraft continued descending rapidly.
The Crash and Aftermath
The Cessna 421C crashed into a row of townhouses in Fairview. The impact was catastrophic, severing power lines and causing a significant fire that spread across multiple homes. Video footage from the scene depicted large flames engulfing the tightly packed townhouses. As a result, at least five families were displaced from their homes.
Tragically, both the pilot and the passenger aboard the aircraft perished in the crash, along with a resident of one of the townhouses that was struck. The fire, exacerbated by the severed power lines, posed a significant challenge to the emergency responders. Units from the Gresham Fire Department, along with support from the Port of Portland, Portland Fire and Rescue, and Clackamas Fire Department, responded swiftly to contain the blaze and assist the displaced families.
Investigation and Impact
ADS-B data suggests that this aircraft had been out of commission since at least February of 2024 and was likely undergoing maintenance. Indeed, inspecting, operating, and maintaining older, sophisticated aircraft like the Cessna 421C can be a difficult and costly proposition. The aircraft, known for its pressurized cabin and geared turbocharged engines, is a high-performance model that requires annual inspection and meticulous upkeep by specialized aviation mechanics. Any error in that process can be exacerbated in the unforgiving environment of the aircraft’s first flight after an extended maintenance period.
One of the most dangerous times to operate an aircraft is after a period of extended maintenance. This is why the FAA has specific regulations (CFR 91.407) that govern those flights to limit the risk to pilots, passengers, and other innocent bystanders.
The regulation provides that only required crewmembers may operate such a flight after any major maintenance. In this case, we know that an experienced flight instructor accompanied the pilot on this flight. While we cannot make any judgment on the cause of this accident, especially as it is actively being investigated by the NTSB, a mechanical failure seems increasingly likely cause of the accident.
Given the inherent danger of these types of flights, pilots planning post-maintenance operation check flights must consider ways to minimize risks in case of a mechanical problem. The FAA recommends that test flights be made over open water or in sparsely populated areas, which, unfortunately, was not the case with this flight.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash. Given the severity of the post-crash fire and the extensive damage to the aircraft, determining the exact cause of the handling issues reported by the pilot may prove challenging.
Investigators will likely focus on the aircraft’s maintenance logbooks to determine if any recent repairs could have contributed to the accident. The NTSB’s investigation may also examine the pilot’s recency of experience and any other potential mechanical failures that could have led to the crash.
As the community of Fairview grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the loss of life and the displacement of families serve as a somber reminder of the inherent risks associated with aviation. The investigation’s findings will be critical in preventing similar incidents in the future and ensuring the safety of both aircrew and the public.
A post-maintenance accident is an unfortunately common tale, and Aviation Law Group has represented persons who were killed on post-maintenance test flights. We have opened an investigation into this accident and urge anyone who may have information about it to contact us.